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Friday, March 9, 2012

Learning More About Flexible Solar Panels

The use of solar energy to power homes and offices is rapidly becoming a viable option for a lot of homeowners and companies. Since the earth's non-renewable resources are slowly being depleted the need to find alternative energy sources has become a priority, and solar energy is by far the most ideal. However, the problem is that not all offices and homes can come up with the money to purchase the bulky solar panels that can convert sunlight into electrical energy. The expenses associated with building or purchasing these solar panels add up to thousands of dollars, which is something that average-income households cannot produce especially during these tough times. One innovation in solar technology however is becoming an excellent alternative to the conventional solar panels, and this comes in the form of flexible solar panels.Flexible solar panels are comprised of polymer subtrates and amorphous silicon held together by semiconductors. Instead of the usual crystalline panels, flexible panels come in thin layers, making it easy for the user to roll them up and store them when not in use.

What makes flexible solar panels more versatile than conventional panels is that they can be used almost anywhere. Instead of being mounted on a rooftop, flexible panels can be used during travel to serve as laptop and cellphone chargers, marine battery chargers, and power sources for small campsites. Businesses can also benefit from the usage of flexible panels by installing them as part of a building's facade or overall architecture. This allows businesses to cut down on the consumption of traditional energy forms and provides an opportunity to reduce carbon footprints.

Cost is another factor that makes flexible solar panels better than crystalline solar panels you are familiar with. This is because flexible panels have less semiconductor material present in them. Of course, this would mean lower efficiency levels at first glance, but various manufacturers are finding ways to increase the efficiency of these panels, and it would just be a matter of time when these can be made with the full efficiency of conventional crystalline panels. If you are on the lookout for flexible solar panels for your home, many manufacturers can offer varying shapes and sizes of these panels according to your needs. A good way to compare between flexible panels is by browsing different sites such as http://www.impactbattery.com to give you an idea of the features and costs of flexible panels by manufacturer. This will allow you to gather the information you need before weighing your options and making a decision based on the cost and the quality of the panels you want to purchase.